Classic Bestsellers from Josephine Cox: Bumper Collection. Josephine Cox

      She got a playful dig in the ribs for that cheeky remark, but Daisy was grateful that she wouldn’t be going home just yet. ‘By the time I get home tonight, they’ll have calmed down,’ she said, and if Amy needed any convincing that she had done the right thing, that remark did it.

      Linking arms they walked home together, with Amy wishing she could change things for Daisy; and Daisy thanking her lucky stars, for having found the best friend in the whole wide world.

      Amy was right. Marie and Dave welcomed Daisy with open arms. They had their tea: thick meat butties of home-made bread, and a delicious apple pie with ice-cream to follow.

      ‘I’ll be so full I’ll not be able to dance,’ Daisy groaned, tucking in happily none the less.

      Afterwards the girls went up to Amy’s room.

      ‘Oh, Amy, I do like your room.’ Daisy had seen it before, and never failed to admire it. Pretty as a picture, with its rose chintz curtains and a cream-coloured rug, the room was furnished with just a wardrobe, bed and dressing table. Being at the back of the house it was not the lightest of rooms, but the light painted walls and the lovingly chosen seascape paintings created a sense of space and light that belied the smallness.

      ‘One of these days we’ll decorate your room,’ Amy promised, ‘if your parents will let me through the door, that is.’ Last time Daisy had taken her home, there had been a terrible row and ever since then, Amy had been reluctant to visit.

      ‘Thanks all the same, but you needn’t bother,’ Daisy replied. ‘As soon as I can afford a place of my own, I intend leaving that house for good.’ And from the tone of her voice, Amy knew she meant it.

      ‘Right then!’ Taking Daisy by the arm, Amy propelled her towards the dressing table. ‘You don’t want your room decorated, so we’ll have to see what we can do with your face instead.’

      ‘I don’t want to be looking like a clown,’ Daisy declared fearfully.

      ‘Now, would I do that?’ Amy’s mischievous little grin got Daisy worried.

      ‘I mean it, Amy! If you make me look ridiculous, I won’t set foot outside this room.’

      Ignoring her protests, Amy found enough make-up to suit Daisy.

      A few minutes and a lot of grumbling later, she looked especially pretty. Her lips were lightly painted in the softest pink so as not to clash with the vibrant colour of her hair; a thin coating of powder on her skin and just the merest touch of mascara against her lashes and she was finished.

      ‘Now then, what do you think?’ Amy asked. ‘Have I made you look like a clown, or have I made you pretty as a picture?’

      Daisy was delighted with the result of Amy’s handiwork. ‘It’s lovely,’ she said, ‘but what can we do about this?’ Pointing to the marks on her neck, she reminded Amy, ‘The dress has a low neckline, so folks are bound to see the bruises.’

      Amy had not realised the extent of Daisy’s injuries until now. ‘Oh God, Daisy. That looks nasty.’ She lowered her voice, although no one would hear. ‘Did your father do that?’ she gasped. It beggared belief that a man could do that to his daughter.

      Daisy nodded. ‘He had me pinned to the wall with the crook of his arm.’ Under her breath she uttered the word, ‘Bastard!’

      Amy knew about Mr Robertson’s temper but hadn’t realised he was so vicious. She squeezed Daisy’s arm in silent but helpless sympathy. Then: ‘Don’t you worry, sunshine.’ She had an idea. ‘Stay there a minute.’

      Going to the wardrobe, she took out a box and from that she withdrew a pretty necklace. It had been a present from her father, something to help cheer her after Don left. Thick-banded with dangling pink stones, it was perfect for what she had in mind. ‘This will not only go with your frock, it’ll hide the blemishes as well,’ she pointed out.

      Draping it round Daisy’s neck she fastened it at the back. One look in the mirror told her that it had done the trick. ‘There you are. Now stop your moaning!’

      Daisy gave a sigh of relief. ‘You’re a clever little bugger, aren’t you?’

      Amy chuckled. ‘I do my best. Now, come out of my seat and go and get your frock on. It’s time for me to get myself ready.’

      ‘I’ll not be long.’ Taking her frock with her, Daisy went away to the bathroom. When she returned a few minutes later, her wild, wavy hair was brushed to a golden shine, and she looked so lovely, Amy leaped out of the seat and, coming to turn Daisy round and round, she told her, ‘By! Every bloke in the room will want to dance with you.’ Tutting loudly, she grumbled, ‘The rest of us won’t even get a look in!’

      ‘Are you telling me the truth, Amy?’ Over the years Daisy’s parents had dented her confidence until, now, she needed constant reassurance. ‘Do I look nice? Do you really mean it?’

      ‘Of course I mean it, Daisy,’ Amy answered warmly. ‘You look beautiful.’

      She observed Daisy’s bouncy mop of auburn hair and the pretty freckles that danced about her nose and eyes, and she meant every word.

      At half-past seven, looking pretty as two pictures, they came down the stairs to a round of applause.

      ‘You look a treat!’ Dave was proud of them both.

      Marie was so impressed, she vowed to visit the second-hand shop next time she went into town.

      ‘Mind you behave yourselves!’ Marie fussed as they went out the door. She made them put on a coat each and warned, ‘It’ll be chilly by the time you come out of there. And don’t be back late,’ she told Amy. Addressing Daisy she offered, ‘If you want to come back and stay the night, you’re very welcome, lass.’

      ‘Better not,’ Daisy declined gratefully. ‘My dad might take it into his head to come looking for me, and I wouldn’t wish his presence on anybody.’ Staying out until the early hours was one thing, but staying out all night would cause trouble and she daren’t risk it.

      Chatting excitedly, the girls set off for the Grand. ‘I wonder if there’ll be any good-looking blokes there?’ Daisy mused aloud. ‘Somebody who’s rolling in money and looking for a girl like me.’

      ‘You’ll not find anybody rolling in money in this town,’ Amy declared, ‘except the mill-owners and businessmen, and they’re all fat, bald and married.’

      ‘Not all,’ Daisy corrected her. ‘I’ve heard that Luke Hammond is a real knockout.’

      Amy was surprised. ‘Dad works for Hammonds, but he never talks too much about his work, or his boss.’

      ‘Men are useless!’ Daisy declared scornfully. ‘The poor devils just don’t know how to gossip. All I know is what I were told, and they say he’s a real good-looker.’ Her eyes widening with anticipation she glanced about. ‘D’you reckon he comes in here?’

      ‘I shouldn’t think the poor man goes anywhere, what with running the factory and then his wife to look after. Remember she was beaten up, and needs constant care?’

      Daisy felt little sympathy. ‘He’s rich, isn’t he? And if he’s as caring as you say, I’m sure he’s arranged for her to have the best of everything.’

      ‘I’m sure he has.’ Amy felt both sympathy and curiosity. ‘It’s a terrible thing, though, don’t you think – him having such a burden, and for his wife too … It can’t be easy for either of them.’

      Daisy agreed, though she had to have the last word. ‘It’s a damned sight worse if you’ve not got money. My old grandad fell over one Friday night. Drunk as a lord he were … broke both his legs and lost his false teeth down the grating. Months he had to wait for a new pair. His sodding legs were mended afore he got his new teeth.’ She laughed. ‘Two crutches and no gnashers – what a state to be in!’